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1.09.2013

My Second Quilt

I finished my second quilt. Woo hoo. And, it looks exactly like the first one I made... just with different colors. Hey, once you find a good thing, go with it, right? Actually, I really loved the first quilt I made but it was a gift for my sister, so when it was time to make one for me, I decided to make the same thing... a little larger. I started this project here. Yes, July 5, 2011. One year and 6 months ago. I didn't say I was fast.This quilt is 5' x 5'. I made it almost the same way I made the first quilt. (the tutorial is here) This time I added a cream boarder on all sides before the binding. I googled, like always, to figure out how to do that. If you're wondering what the quilting process looks like at my house... here ya go. (Yes, I iron on a tiny ironing board crouched on the floor).

Since I didn't have a good picture of trimming the squares in the last quilt, I took one durning this quilt. This is the back of one of the squares. (you can see the green leaf scrapbook paper under the ruler). Just line your ruler up with the edge of the paper, and cut. Once you do all 4 sides, you have a perfect square.

All of my finished squares lined up on the guest room bed. The paper is still on them in this photo.

I used old scrapbook paper as the templates for each square. Which, didn't end up being the smartest idea in the world. You see, scrapbook paper is quite thick. To try and rip it from my sewed strips was almost impossible. After almost ruining 2 of them, I came up with the genius idea to soak my squares in the sink (for maybe 5 seconds).

Worked WAY better! Soaking-wet paper rips quite easily you know. :) After the soaking and ripping (and explaining to my husband wtf I was doing) I strewn the squares on every flat surface I could find in the kitchen and laundry room to dry. In hind sight, a spray bottle might have been the better option... but this way was kind of fun none the less.

Here's one all ripped off. The little white bits of paper still left don't matter.

After everything dries, layout your squares again in an order you like and start sewing them together. Bottom two rows are sewn in this picture.

Keep going.

After sticking your quilt sandwich together (back, batting, top), start quilting. I did free-motion again this time and it was a bit harder with a bigger quilt. That's a lot of material to shove around!

So it's done! I have no idea what I am going to use it for yet... I just like looking at it. :) I originally thought I would bring it to the beach to sit on but after the amount of work I put into this sucker, I don't want it getting grungy.

Here's the back. I made this pattern 100% from necessity. I was running out of fabric and this is what I came up with to cover the whole 5' x 5' square. haha Seriously, that is what happened.

Hope you like it!

UPDATE: Click here for the video tutorial I made for free motion quilting.

Oh man, took me forever to reply! You just kinda sew all wavy and squigly. Here's the tutorial for the first quilt I did. I think this one explains it better. http://whiletheysnooze.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-make-quilt-kind-of.html

I am very new to quilting and only do crib size (or smaller) itemsI was wondering if you could do some of the strips without paperand trim to make a square (seems I saw someone on tv doingsomething like that - now what was her name???) and by theway - I'm the 'older generation' and just found out yesterdaywhat 'wtf' stands for!! I would have never guessed!Judi

Yes, you could absolutely do it without the paper. I just like the paper because I know my squares are going to end up perfectly square. I'm not so confident doing it with just fabric alone yet. haha! Sorry about the WTF... but that's usually my inner voice! Especially when the kids are driving me bonkers. hahaha

Hi, this is the most fun for someone who just loves fabric, and goes to the stores just to look and "pet" what I find. Zany I guess, but no doubt others will understand. I have made a couple of quilts following "patterns" such as Spiderwebs and Hidden Spools, which impressed me and made me a bit tense. Have found out that sewing random or not so random strips onto a foundation is the most fun!! May look complicated, but actually can be very zen. Create my own fabrics this way...one of my creations turned into a teddy bear and the other into a yoga mat bag. If I could send pics, I would. Its just fun, not a beginners or advanced in my opinion...just satisfying and worth trying. Janel in Louisiana

Yes, I'm totally the person who loves the zen projects. Just repetitive mindless steps. It's very relaxing! I never thought of making my own fabric this way. That's a great idea. You can always email me your pics... sarahzisa@gmail.com I love seeing them and usually share on the While They Snooze facebook page :)

Awww, thanks! Yeah, several days into sewing the strips I pretty much knew I was never going to throw this in the sand. haha Right now it's in a drawer in my guest room. I really should get it out and find a "home" for it. :) Thanks!!!!

First of all... I was just telling my husband that for our next big trip I want to visit Scotland. So that jumped out at me right away and I'm already jealous. haha Thanks for the compliments! The first one I made was baby sized too. This one is slightly bigger. The process didn't change at all... just more time. You can do it! :)

Hi Brenna. Thanks so much! I have a Brother CS 6000i. Here's the link. I bought it from Walmart.com and I think I got free shipping. Good deal! It's worked well for almost 4 years now. Thanks!!!!http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-CS6000I/4764726

Love your quilts!!! first time on your blog here. Have always wanted to make a quilt but scared I would make a mess and give up seems so intimidating but you made it seem so easy,may wanna try. I read somewhere a long time ago using wedding dress to make quilt for your kids(Im divorced) so no emotional value to me but I think my kids would like at least my oldest she is 26,my son is only 14 he has some years to go...lol. Figure for my daughter could make it girly,teal pink and animal prints,oh wedding dress is white with some lace and appliques. What do you think? Would appreciate any advice... Thanks Roseann in south Texas

Hi Roseann! Well it took me forever to catch up on comments but I finally made it here! :) I think that's a fantastic idea. I've always wanted to make something out of the baby outfits I can't part with and I also have my wedding dress collecting dust in a closet. If you don't have an attachment to it, what do you have to lose? I say go for it! You might have to back the dress with something stable if it's thin or slippery. But it should work.

Omgoodness You make it look tooo simple!!!!!! I cant wait to try!!! Am very new to sewing just got my first machine at age 45, in response to not being able to find any curtains I liked and I (thought sheesh how hard can it be to sew your own..lol) They turned out pretty well.. sorry I digressed, my question is what kind of material do you use for your quilts?

Hi Tara! It's really not hard... just repetitive. :) So find yourself a good TV show and go at it. I have mainly used quarters for my quilts. They are pre cut squares in the quilting section of Walmart or JoAnn's (or any fabric store). Usually $1 - $3 each. If I can't find a quarter I like, I get fabric cut from the bolts but I always stay in the quilting section. So I think that means always cotton (maybe ploy/cotton blend)? Think like cheap sheets material. Does that help?

Hi! I just stumbled upon your blog and was hooked immediately. I just loved your quilts.. they really are very beautiful. I am from India and some of the items mentioned in your tutorial like fusiboo etc are not available here... so I guess I would be doing basting stitch with hand to hold all the layers together!! but could you suggest what to use as the central layer in the absence of fusiboo? Although the very thought of taking up such a project terrifies me, but I have fallen irrevocably in love with your quilts and now I really want to make them (hope they turn out as good as yours).

Thanks! You're so sweet. :) Quilting isn't that hard. Just tedious and time consuming. But, I find repetitive things relaxing and do a little bit at a time. For the middle of the quilt you could use any sort of flat batting (a flat cottony fluffy sheet). Not the batting they stuff pillows with, but the kind they sell in flat rolls. If you can't find that, you could always use an old blanket! The point of the stuff you put in the middle is to give the quilt some substance and warmth I think. So, you could really just stick an old blanket in there and achieve the same thing if you're having trouble finding batting. Hope that helps!

Both of your quilts are absolutely gorgeous...I am jealous!! I have had tons of fabric for years and just scared of messing it all up, but your tutorials have been extremely helpful and I'm ready to give it a try! I am wondering though what steps you went through to add the white border to the front of your quilt. Are they squares like the colored fabric or something else? Thank you!!

Hi Deby. I googled "how to sew a mitered quilt boarder" or something like that and then watched a couple you tube videos and read a few tutorials. Here's one quick video I found just now. http://www.fonsandporter.com/articles/mitered_borders_tips The boarders are 4 long strips of fabric. Not squares like the rest of the quilt. This was the first boarder I ever did and it came out pretty good. Don't be scared! Watch a few videos and give it a shot! :)

Hi Krystal. Really?!? That's so great to hear. Honestly, most of the time I publish blog posts I assume the only people who read them are my friends I have forced to "follow" me and some family members who probably just skim the pictures. lol So it always takes me back when someone says I helped them learn something or inspired them to do something. Really cool! I'd "favorite" your comment if that was an option. haha You made my day. Thanks!!!

I am so inspired! I love your simple, no-nonsense take on making a quilt-it's like sitting next to someone and being shown first-hand how you started out on this journey of making your first beautiful quilts! Thank you.

I am living in Ecuador where the price of bedding is outrageous. I just bought a sewing machine last night and hope to start back at it. I have never done a quilt and hope to start one for a queen size bed (coverlet). This might sound crazy, how do you cut all the strips? Can't find a rotary cutter down here yet. And I noticed, that your strips were not all the same width, that doesn't matter? And lastly, can I just take the foot off my very simple machine and quilt it that way? Wish me luck in finding all the supplies needed. I live in a very small fishing village! but can't wait to start.

You can cut all the strips with a scissors, it just might take a little longer. I would suggest stacking 3 or so layers of fabric and cutting 3 at a time. And no, your strips can be all the same width or varying widths. It doesn't matter. However, the wider the strips are, the less work it will be for you. :) And I don't know if taking the foot off your machine will work. The main thing with free motion quilting is putting the feed dogs down. The feed dogs are the metal gripper things that stick up from the base of your machine under where the needle comes down. They move the fabric from front to back when you are doing regular sewing. You don't want the machine to pull the fabric in any direction... you want to do the pulling. I hope that helps! Good luck! Let me know if you get stuck! :)

THIS IS THE BEST TUTORIAL YET! I love to sew, but I am no professional. My little bit of knowledge comes from my mom working in a sewing factory when I was little. I am having my first grand baby a BOY and the Mom wants a vintage nautical themed quilt. Huh, I have sewed a lot of things but never a quilt. Thank you for making me feel I can do this. I love, love both quilts I've seen so far and as you said I feel I might get a bug for it once I get started. Thanks again. Now to find the themed material.

Here's a suggestion: Use pages from discarded phone books as your block foundations. Recycling at its finest! I make lots of these String Blocks -- also teach Beginning Quilting and am amazed that a new beginner would post a tutorial. I'm succeeding at using up mountains of leftover scraps of fabric as I make more and more blocks. The only problem is that fellow quilters keep bringing their bags of scraps to me, and I can't turn them down. Three kid-size quilts down so far and a fourth, larger one pieced together but not yet sandwiched and quilted. Another thought: Wait until you've completed the quilting step to trim your batting and backing even with the quilt top. The quilting process can shift the layers around and you could end up with the backing drawn up more than the top. I'm sure you've learned a great deal since these first quilts, but you certainly got off to a good start.